Giving or receiving a massage isn’t easy to do. Different massages require different techniques. Both massage amateurs and pros can benefit from this article. The information below will help you with better massages.
Start your massage at the top of the back. This is important as there are a lot of muscles and knots tied up in this area. This technique will help you to soothe the person you are massaging and serves as a great bridge to the other areas of the body.
Discuss your needs with your therapist. Some people may feel a little uncomfortable at the prospect of getting a massage because they feel out of control. Tell the massage therapist about any sore areas, such as your back, knees or neck, so that they can avoid them or treat them accordingly. And don’t forget to let them know of your preferences for things like background music, room lighting and temperature. The whole point is for you to be able to relax, so make sure the conditions suit you.
Look at the person receiving the massage to determine if you are hitting all the areas that they need addressed. Watch for grimacing or tensing up. Your touch will greatly improve as you practice and gain experience. When the body feels tense, you may be applying too much pressure.
The speed of your hands is important for the kind of massage you are trying to give. If you are looking for a massage to relax your partner, go for slow strokes. If you are looking to work out tired muscles that have been over exerted, faster strokes work better.
The Japanese love to engage in a form of massage called shiatsu. This uses the pressure from the masseuse’s fingers pressed in a rhythm on your acupuncture meridians. The pressure is applied for a few to many seconds, boosting energy flow and returning the body to balance. It doesn’t leave you sore, either!
If you’re pregnant, you can still enjoy a massage if it is given by a license therapist. This is a great way to deal with morning sickness, stress, back pain, sore breasts and swollen ankles. You can continue it after birth to deal with postpartum depression, weight loss and baby-carrying pains, too.
Pay attention to how your partner responds during a massage. If your partner tenses up, you are probably massaging him or her in a way that is too intense. If your partner seems to feel tickled, you might be going too light with your fingers. Paying attention can help you to find the right balance that will really please your partner.
If you are a woman, don’t swear off men massage therapists. Since most women are modest, they often feel uncomfortable in front of a male massage therapist. However, some women have reported that the best massage they have gotten in a long time is from a male massage therapist. Whatever your decision, don’t just base it on the sex of the massage therapist.
The power of a relaxing neck massage should not be underestimated. Lots of people have a lot of built up tension within the muscles of their neck. This is also one of the easiest areas of the body to massage and can deliver maximum benefits. Utilize lotions and both of your hands when addressing the neck area, and work on getting the shoulders involved also.
Incredibly, there is a type of massage everyone can do after eating their meal. It involves putting both of your palms on the abdomen and moving them in a circular motion. This helps promote suitable digestion, since this is how the food moves through the intestines.
Doing eye massages can relieve tired and sore eyes. The main benefit of this massage is using warmth to relieve pain and strain. Begin this massage by rubbing your hands together vigorously. Do this until your hands start to feel warm. When hands are warm, cover each eye with a palm until the warmth goes away.
Add a mint-scented oil or cream to your massage arsenal. Mint not only soothes skin, it also has a fresh and relaxing scent, perfect for a massage. Always buy products of high quality and keep your skin moisturized.
Even though there are many wonderful benefits to having a massage, if you have a lot of health problems or an injury you should talk to your doctor first. What you might think is a harmless massage could end up causing a condition to worsen such as a blood clot.
If you are on the giving end of a very beneficial massage, make sure to read the signs the recipient is showing. During a deep-tissue massage, the body responds to pressure and muscles will actually contract under your finger-tips. Ease up on the pressure when you approach bones and joints and be guided by the response you get!
When it comes to lower back pain, massage therapy is very effective and can bring helpful relief to an individual that is suffering from this affliction. Almost fifty percent of health care providers recommend therapeutic massage for patients that are suffering from lower back pain. Combined with other medical treatments, massage therapy gives many people relief from debilitating back pains.
If you notice that you are having a lot of pain in your head, opt for craniosacral therapy. This massage technique focuses primarily on the skull and down the middle of your back with minor pressure that relieves tension and helps trauma. This is a good massage to have if you are older and find yourself sore more often.
If you feel dizzy or odd in any way, make sure that you sit down and take a breather. Sometimes, the amount of blood flow and circulation after a massage is much higher than usual, which could cause your mind to blackout for a second. Take your time and relax until you feel like you are back to normal.
There are plenty of things to learn about massage therapy. This is undoubtedly the reason that you’re reading an article like this. Don’t get discouraged; just focus on the info above. You should use the guidance outlined in this article to direct your massage. Many amateurs only guess their next move, but you are beyond this elementary stage.
